GAINESVILLE, Fla. --
If Gators coach Will Muschamp had his way, the Gators would have held a morning
practice and an evening practice on Friday.

But with some
key injuries to start camp, Muschamp opted to work the young players and
veterans together Friday evening at the opening practice of the 2013 season.

The Gators will
do the same this weekend.

"You like
to be able to go split squad, of course we're limited with some numbers,''
Muschamp said. "To have everyone out there at once, it's a different
teaching progression for young players as opposed to old players. That's why
you'd like to have two or three days to divide the roster up."

With the
offense without starting quarterback Jeff Driskel (appendectomy), running back
Matt Jones (viral infection), right guard Jon Halapio (pectoral muscle) and
left guard Max Garcia (back), some of the younger and inexperienced players
took more reps than usual.

Redshirt junior
quarterback Tyler Murphy led the first-team offense. Murphy has not thrown a
pass in a regular-season game but with Driskel expected to be sidelined during
the early portion of camp, Murphy is the primary beneficiary of the extra reps.

Muschamp said
Murphy did some "nice things" Friday in what was a "typical
first day." Despite the absence of several regulars and being forced to
scratch some planned split-squad practices, it's business as usual once
practice starts.

"It
doesn't alter [our plan] at all,'' Muschamp said. "We're going to run our
offense and install our system on offense, defense and special teams. Really,
after the first two scrimmages is when you start making decisions on where you
need to go schematically.

RUNNING GAME: Muschamp reiterated
Friday that if Jones is out for an extended period of time that he is confident
redshirt junior Mack Brown is prepared to be Florida's starting tailback to
open the season.

True freshmen
Kelvin Taylor and Adam Lane are also available, and Muschamp mentioned walk-on
Mark Herndon as a candidate for carries if needed.

As for Jones,
Muschamp remains unsure of when the sophomore from Tampa might be available.

"We’re in
a little bit of uncharted waters here,'' he said. "It’s very uncertain.
It’s very frustrating, for him first of all, and for us a little bit. It is
what it is. We’ll handle the situation.

"Matt’s
going to be fine. I do know that. Whenever he’s able to join this football team
and work and do the things we want him to do, No. 1, he’s healthy. That’s the
most important thing."